First aid kit



Oct. 10, 1961 w. ANDERSON 3,003,625

FIRSTAIDKIT Filed May 15, 195s INVENTOR: WENDELI. ANDERSON United StatesPatent() 3,003,625 FIRST AID KIT Wendell Anderson, 22 W. 378 Army TrailRoad, Rte. 1, Addison, Ill. Filed May 15, 1958, Ser. No. 735,447 Claims.(Cl. 206-63.2)

The presentinvention relates to a first aid kit. More particularly, ithas :to do with a container into which rst-aid articles may be carriedor which may be used as a splint.

Numerous containers have been devised for carrying components useful ingiving iirst aid to injured persons. In the more elaborate kits, a greatvariety of bandages and the like may be included together with rigidmembers to serve as splints. The splints, of course, are sometimesrequired in caring for a fracture of an arm or leg. Depending upon thetype of fracture, it may be necessary to use a splint on one or bothsides of the fractured member; for the more serious fractures, it-issometimes highly desirable to apply traction -to the injured member inaddition to binding it firmly in -a splint.

An ordinary rst-aid kit which includes the necessary splints usually isexcessively large in size and is heavy. The excess bulk necessary toaccommodate the splints detracts from portability and convenience ofstowing and transporting the kit.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide afirst-aid kit which overcomes the above mentioned disadvantages ofconventional rst-ad kits.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a first-aid kitenabling portable transport of the usual first-aid materials includingbandages and the like and also including the members necessary tosecurely and rigidly splint a fracture.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a first-aid kitwhich may be light and compact while affording an essentially completevariety of rst-aid materials including both bandages and splints. Y

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such afirst-aid kit which is economical and easy to manufacture, is easy toassemble and dismantle; and is in form to be readily understood byteen-agers both as to assembled uses and potential uses when dismantled,

A still further object of the present invention is to provide afirst-aid kit which affords splints of a size suilicient to lend goodsupport to the human arm or leg while the first-aid kit at the same timeis capable of be ing easily carried in the human hand and knapsacks.

The first-aid kit of the present invention yincludes a combinationfirst-aid supply container and splint assembly. The combination includesfirst and second elongated double-channel members both of predeterminedinternal and external widths and both having channels running along eachlongitudinal edge portion thereof. For cooperation therewith are firstand second elongated channel members both of selected internal andexternal widths and bothV having bottom portions of predeterminedthickness with one of the selected Widths approximating one of thepredetermined widths. First and second U- shaped members both of adepthl less than the predetermined `internal width minus the totalbottom thickness, of the channel members are also associated with theforegoing members togetherY with means for releasably securing all ofthe members together in a multiplicity of interrelationships.

Specifically, the various members may be secured in several differentrelationships including those of a box, a single splint, a doublesplint, and a double splint. with traction inboth long and short sizes.Thus, inA one aspect the invention takes a form of a demountablecontainer comprising the above-mentioned members as its diierent3,003,625 Patented Oct. 10, 1961 ICC walls. Alternatively, the membersmay be separated, used separately or reassembled in various combinationsto provide different types of splints.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended clai-ms. The organizationand manner of cperation of the invention, together with further objectsand advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to thefol-lowing description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in the several figures of which like reference numeralsidentify like elements and in which:

FIG. l is a perspective View of a first-aid kit constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FG. 2 is an exploded view of the apparatus in FIG; l;

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of the components of FIGS. l and 2 arrangedin a different interrelationship;

FiG. 4 is a fragmentary sec-tional view taken along the lines 4 4 inFIG. l; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view, similar to FlG. l, of an alternativeembodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates various components arranged in the form of acontainer 1t), suitable to house first-aid supplies. As assembled,container 1t) includes as its side walls a pair of facing double-channelmembers 11 and 12; running along each longitudinal edge portion ofmembers 11 and 12 are channels 13. Channels 13 are separated by anintermediate bottom portion 14 of the double-channel members.

Forming the top and bottom walls of container 10 are a pair of facingelongated channel members 17 and 18. The side portions 19 of members 17,18 have a height less than the internal width of edge-channels 13 sothat when the walls `are assembled as shown in FIG. l side portions 19nest within channels 13.

Closure members 21 and 22 form the end walls of container 10. Members 21and 22 in the present instance are alike yand take the form of a pair offacing U-haped members having legs 24 and bottom portions 23 preferablyrecessed or igrooved at 23a in the direction of the legs. U-shapedmembers 21, 22 both have -a depth less than the internal Width ofdouble-channel members 11 and 12. That is, the depth D of members 21,22, as measured across a leg 24 in a direction parallel to base portion23, is less than the distance between the inner surfaces ofthe outerside portions 26 of double-channel members 11, 12. Moreover, the depth Dof U-shaped members 21, 22 is les-s than the internal width of members11, 12 minus the total bottom thickness of the channel members 17, 18;that is, each member 17, 18 has a thickness T (FIG. 4) and the depth ofU-shaped members 21, 22 is selected so that lwhen the container isassembled the bottom portions of channel members 17 18 are receivedbetween side portions 26 4and the edge of legs 24.

' As assembled, with side portions 19 nested in channels 13, legs 24 lieagainst the inner surface o-f intermediate portion 14 and project overchannels 13 covering side portions 19. Channels 13 are preferably of adepth approximating the thickness of channel member 17 and particularlythe thickness of side portions 19 so that, with legs 24 lying againstintermediate portion 14, legs 24 also hold side portions 19 seatedsnugly in channel 13.

Securing the entire assembly together are screws 30 inserted throughaligned openings 31 and engaged by wing nuts 32. When so secured withthe wing nuts disposed inside or outside of the container, container 16is extremely rigid, the offset of intermediate yportion 14 and the sideportion flanges adding rigidity to the entire construction and resistinglateral bending stresses. When it is desired to gain access to theinterior of 'container 10 for removal of the irst-aid contents, bothmembers can be slid endwise in either direction by gripping and pushingthe edges thereof that extend over the grooves 23a thereby providinguniversal access to all contents of the container or, if desired, theclearances between the parts may be so provided that all parts areclamped by the wing nuts whereupon it is only necessary to loosen wingnuts 32 and the top and bottom channel members 17 and 18 may be slidoutwardly of one end as indicated in phantom in FIG. l. Yet, withmembers y17 yand 18 in position and wing nuts 32 screwed-up tightly,members 17 and 18 are secured firmly in position by the action of legs24 clamping side portions 19 within channels 13. t has been foundhowever, that resiliency in the legs 24 provide sumcient tension to holdthe mem-V bers 17 and 18 against inadvertent sliding.

instead of `carrying splint elements within container 10, the presentinvention contemplates utilizing the members forming the container assplints or portions thereof. Of course, any single one of members 11,12, 17 or 18 may be utilized by itself as a single splint which whenplaced against a fractured arm or the like and bound tightly theretoaffords desired support. Again, the oisets and/or the side portioniianges give rigidity resisting lateral bending forces.

lt is usually better, however, to use a double splint; that is, to placea member on each side of the injured Vpart of the body Iand wrap the twomembers very tightly.

Particular utility of the arrangement of the present invention ariseswhen it is desired to provide splints for an entire arm or leg of aninjured person. Normally, such splints are of one-piece constructionand, as such, are most unwieldy for packaging within la portablefirst-aid kit. To the end of maintaining comparatively small dimensionsfor container 10 but yet providing substantially longer and very rigidsplints, channel members 17, 18 are dimensioned to inter-tit withdouble-channel member 11, 12 and -form elongated splints. This isachieved through correlation of the lwidths of these members. As shownin FIG. Y3, the internal width between side portions 19 of member 17, 18approximates the external width between side portions 26 ofdouble-channel members 11 and 12. As the result, channel members 17, 18telescope snugly over double-channel members 11, 12. Accordingly,channel member 17 together with double-channel member 12 tit together toform a single splint; the members are rigidly secured together by usingthe same screw 3i) and wing nut 32 with screw 30 being inserted throughaligned openings in the members. Similarly, channel member 18 anddouble-channel member 11 may be fitted together and clamped by means ofanother screw and Vwing nut to provide a second single splint whichtogether Vwith the rst may be utilized as an elongated double splint.

A salient feature of the present construction stems from the use of oneof U-shaped members 21 or 22 together with the double splint formed asdescribed to enable the application of traction to an injured leg, forexample, bound between the double splint. To this end, an opening 35 isprovided in the bottom of the grooves 23a of at least one of theU-shaped members. The selected U-shaped member is placed around thebottom of the foot with its legs 24 projecting overl the inner bottomportions of channel members 17, 18, the side portions 19 and 26 of thetelescoping channel members projecting outwardly from the injured leg.The selected'U-shaped member is secured to ichannel members 17 and 18 byadditional ones of screws 30, available upon demounting of container 10,inserted through aligned openings in the bottom portions of members 17and 18.

When thus assembled, a bandage 39 wrapped iirmly about the ankle andfoot 40 of the injured leg is brought out through opening 35. By tying aknot 41 at the ends of the exposed portion of the bandage and insertinga stick 42 or like instrumentality between the two ends,

tension may be applied to the leg tourniquet fashion and the `groove 23awill prevent unwinding thereof.

Facility of assembling the members into the diierent relationship-s ispermitted by the illustrated disposition of the openings receptive ofscrews 30. Preferably, a series of holes or openings 31 are spacedalongthe longi-A tudinal center line of each of the members andcentrally along the middle of legs 24. Consequently, the length of thesplints is selectively adjustable by aligning diierent pairs of openings31. The openings also are aligned for securing of the parts together inthe form of container 10.

When assembled as illustrated in FIG. 3,'the U-shaped member 21 or 22serving as the traction member will cock slightly to one side, since thedepth D of this member is'less than the internal width of double-channelmembers `11, 12 which fit inside the side Vportions of channel members17, 18. Actually, the slight cooking of the U-shaped member is of littleconsequence since once traction is applied, the U-shaped member is heldiirmly in its cocked position. Moreover, by reversing the relativepositions of members 11, 12 and 17, 18 from that shown in FIG; 3,putting the former nearest the arm or leg extremity, the amount of suchcooking is reduced since depth D -of the- U-shaped Vmembersrneed only beless than the internal width of double-channel members 11, 12 by doublethe thickness T of each ofthe other channel member bottom portions. Anydisadvantage of this arrangement is compensated by a manufacturingeconomy arising from the described construction. Initially, channelmembers 17 and 18 may be cut from the same stock as double-channelmembers 11, 12. The amount of offset of intermediate portions 14 in thedouble-channel members is selected to contract side portions 26 togetherby an amount just suilicient that the latter are snugly received withinside portions 19 of channel members 17, 18 as in FIG. 3. At the sametime this makes the depth of edge-channels 13 correct to snugly receiveside portions 19 for clamping by legs 24 when assembled as container 10.

However, when it is practical to utilize different initial channel stockfor the two pairs of splint-forming members, a slightly diierentdimensional relationship uses an arrangement in which U-shaped membersk21, 22 telescope snugly within the single-channel members. ThisalternativeV is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein double-channel members 11and 12 as Well as U-shaped member 21 are constructed and dimensionedidentically as described above. In this instance, however, the externalwidth of channel members 17a, 18a approximates the internal width ofdouble-channel members 11, 12. Thus, channel members 17a, latelescopeinside double-channel members 11, 12, just the opposite of therelationship illustrated in FIG. 3. Y

With the arrangement of FIG. 5, legs 24 tit snugly between the sideportions of channel 17a, 18a because the depth of legs 24 isspecifically selected to be less than the internal width ofdouble-channel members 11, 12 by an approximating the total bottomthickness of channel members 17a, 18a so that the dispositionillustrated in FIG. 4 obtains when the parts are assembled as container10. Accordingly, the U-shaped member in this instance is more rmlysecured and projects more rigidly in a fixed position from channelmembers 17a, 18a.

It is contemplated to ordinarily carry container 10 within a bag,preferably of the type having a drawstring, At such times as it isnecessaryto dismantle container 10 to provide splints, the contentsformerly in container 10 may then conveniently be carried in the bagtemporarily. lFor permanent, standby storage, it is of course highlydesirable that the contents be returned to the container for protectionagainst damage.V

Since all of the component parts may be produced readily by simpleextrusion stamping or rolling operations, the manufacture of thefirst-aid kit is economical. By reason of the nesting relationship ofthe various members, assembly ofthe parts either into the splint formsor into the container form is easily and quickly accomplished. Both as acontainer and as one or more of the diierent splints, the assembly isvery As shown, only four screws are. utilized together with four wingnuts; these four screws andv wing nuts serve both to secure thecontainer parts one to another or to. secure the entire assemblage ofelements of aY traction splint tightly and securely together. For afirst-aid container of a given length, it will be observed that either asingle splint of almost four times that length or a double splint ofsubstantially twice that length is available. Consequently, when incontainer form the package may be most compact and easily hand-carriedwhile yet providing all the necessary components for a man-sizedtraction double-splint. In use as a container, ready and complete accessmay b e had by the simple loosening of two wing 1.11118 whereupon one.of. the. t0n or bottem Walls may be slid to one side or removedaltogether; the side Walls together with the end closure members retaintheir positions forming slideways for re-insertion of the top and/ orbottom walls.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art. thatchanges and Inodiiications may be made without departing from theinvention in its broader aspects. Accordingly, the aim in the appendedclaims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within thetrue spirit and scope of the invention. y

What is claimed is:

1. A supply container comprising: lirst and second elongateddouble-channel members both of predetermined internal and Aexternalwidths and both having slide channels running along each longitudinaledge portion thereof of a predetermined depth; third and fourthelongated channel members both of selected internal and external widthsand .both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness less thansaid predetermined depth with one of said selected Widths approximatingone of said predetermined widths in engagement with said first andsecond double channel members; i-rst and second U-shaped members both ofa depth less than said predetermined internal Width minus the totalbottom thickness of said thirdr and fourth channel members in engagementwith said iirst and second and said third and fourth channel members;and means securing said first and second and saidY third and fourthchannel members and U-shaped members together with said channels facingeach other to form a hollow rectangular container.

2. A combinationlirst-aid supply container and splint comprising: firstand Seeend. elongated deubleehennel members. beth. ef. predeterminedinternal and external widths and both, having channels running alongeach longitudinal edge portion thereof; lthird and fourth channelmembers both of selected internal and external widths and both havingbottom portions of predetermined thickness with said selected externalwidth approximating said predetermined internal width; first and secondU-shaped members both of a depth less than said predetermined internalwidth minus the total bottom thickness of said third and fourth channelmembers, said depth approximating said selected internal width; andmeans releasably securing said iirst and second and said third andfourth channel members and said U-shaped members together to form ahollow rectangular container.

3. A combination first-aid supply container and splint comprising: firstand second elongated double-channel members both of predeterminedinternal and external widths and both having channels running along eachlongitudinal edge portion thereof; rst and second elongated channelmembers both of selected internal and external widths and both havingbottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of said selectedwidths approximating one of said predetermined widths, said channelmembers nesting with said double channel members with their mid portionsin spaced relation with each other; first and e second closure membersindividually engaged with side walls at opposite ends of an elongatedbox comprising said double-channel members as its side walls and saidchannel members as its top and bottom walls with the side portions ofsaid channel members nested individually in saidlongitudinal-edge-portion channels; and means releasably securing saidmembers together to form a hollow rectangular container whereby saidmembers may be arranged in a multiplicity of interrelationships andsecured by said means to form various size splints.

4. A combination lirst-aid supply container and splint comprising: rstand second elongated double-channel members both of predeterminedinternal and external widths and both having channels running along eachlongitudinal edge portion thereof; lirst and second elongated chanelsmembers both of selected internal and external widths and both havingbottom portions of predeterm-ined thickness with said selected internalwidth approximating said predetermined external Width; iirst and secondclosure members individually engaged with opposite ends of an elongatedbox comprising said doublechannel members as its side walls and saidchannel members as its top and bottom walls` with the side portions ofsaid channel members nested individually in saidlongitudinal-edge-portion channels; and means releasably securing saidmembers together to form a hollow rectangular container whereby saidmembers may be arranged in a multiplicity of interrelationships andsecured by said means to form various size splints.

5. A combination first-aid supply container and splint comprising: rstand second elongated double-channel members both of predeterminedinternal and external widths and both having channels running along eachlongitudinal edge portion thereof; iirst and second elongated channelmembers both of selected internal and external Widths and both havingbottom portions of predetermined thickness with said selected externalWidth approximating said predetermined internal width; iirst and secondclosure members individually engaged with opposite ends of an elongatedbox comprising said double-channel members as its side Walls and saidchannel members as its top and bottom walls with the side portions ofsaid channel members nested individually in saidlongitudinaledge-portion channels; and means releasably securing saidmembersl together to form a hollow rectangular container whereby saidmembers may be arranged in a multiplicity of interrelationships andsecured by said means to form various size splints. l

6. A combination first-aid supply container and splint comprising: iirstand second elongated double-channel members having marginal right angleiianges defining predetermined internal and external widths and bothhaving channels running along each longitudinal edge portion thereof;first and second elongated channel members nesting with saiddouble-channel members and both of selected internal and external widthsand both having bottom portions of predetermined thickness with one ofsaid selected widths approximating one of said predetermined widths; rstand second U-shaped members both of a depth less 4than saidpredetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness of saidchannel members; said double-channel members and said channel memberseach having a series of openings spaced along the longitudinal centerline thereof and said U-shaped members having a series of openingsspaced lengthwise along the middle of each leg thereof; and meansinsertable through said openings selectively securing said memberstogether to form a hollow `rectangular container whereby said membersmay be arranged in a multiplicity of interrelationship and secured bysaid means to form various size splints.

7. A demountable container comprising: facing first and second elongateddouble-channel members both of predetermined internal and externalwidths and both having channels running along each longitudinal 'edgeportion thereof; facing iirst and second elongated channel members bothof selected internal and external widths and both having bottom portionsof predetermined thickness with one of said selected widthsapproximating one of said predetermined widths, the side portions ofsaid channel members nested individually in saidlongitudinaledge-portion channels; facing first and second U-shapedmembers both of a depth less than said predetermined internal widthminus the total bottom thickness of said channel members, the legs ofsaid U-shaped members lying ilat against the double-channeLmember innerbottom surfaces between said longitudinal-edge-portion channels andprojecting over a portion of the latter on the inward side of saidnested channel-member side portions; said double-channel members andsaid channel members each having openings on the longitudinal centerline thereof and said U-shaped members having openings on thelongitudinal center line of each leg thereof; and means insertablethrough said openings securing said members together.

8. A demountable container comprising: facing iirst and second elongateddouble-channel members both of predetermined internal and externalwidths and both having channels of predetermined depth running alongeach longitudinalY edge portion thereof; facing tirst and secondelongated channel members both of selected internal and external widthsand both ol' predetermined thickness with the external selected widthsapproximating the external predetermined widths and with saidpredetermined'thickness approximating said predetermined depth, the sideportions of said channel members nested individually in saidlongitudinal-edge-portion channels; rst and second 'U-shaped membersboth of a depth less than said predetermined internal width minus thetotal bottom thickness of said channel members, the legs of saidU-shaped members lying dat against the doublechannel-member inner bottomsurfaces between said longitudinal-edge-portion channels and projectingover a portion of the latter on the inward side of said nestedchannelmember side portions; and means releasably securing said memberstogether.

9. A combination first-aid supply container and splint comprising: firstand second elongated double-channel members both of predeterminedinternal and external widths and both having channels running along eachlongitudinal edge portion thereof; rst and second elongated channelmembers both of selected internal and external widths and both havingbottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of, said selectedwidths approximating one of said predetermined widths so as to nesttherewith, said members forming a rectangular tube; a closure memberengaged withv one end of the rectangular tube in which saidelongateddouble-channel members comprise its side Walls and said elongatedchannel members comprise its top and bottom walls with side portions ofsaid elongated channel members nested slidable for longitudinal movementindividually in said longitudinal edge portion channels of saidelongateddoublechannel members; a Ushaped member of a dimension less than saidpredetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness of saidelongated channel members engaged with the other end of said tube; saidelongated double-channel members and said elongated channel membershaving bolt receiving openings in the bottom portions thereof and saidU-shaped member having openings in the legs' thereof; said U-shapedmember openings aligned with therbolt receiving Vopenings on saidelongated double-channel members and means insertable through saidaligned openings of said elongated double-channel members and saidU-shaped member to releasably secure all the members toform -a hollowrectangular container, whereby said elongated channel-member openingsaligned with said elongated double-channel member openings and saidvU-shaped member openings receive said insertable means selectively tosecure said members ltogether in a multiplicity of interrelationships toform Vvarious size splints.

10. A combination irst-aidsupply container and splint comprising: firstand second elongated double-channel members both of predeterminedinternal and external widths yand both having channels running alongeach longitudinal edge portion thereof; first and second elongatedchannel members both of selected internal and external widths and bothhaving bottom portions of predetermined thickness with one of saidselected widths approximately one of said predetermined widths, saidelongated channel members having sides thereof Ynested individually in.said channels running along each longitudinal edge portion of saidelongated double-channel members slid able for longitudinal movementtherewith; first `and second U-shaped members both of a vdepth less thansaid predetermined internal width minus the total bottom thickness ofsaid channel members, at least one of said U-shaped members having anopening inthe bottom portion thereof; and means releasably securing saiddoublechannel members and said U-,shaped members with said elongatedchannel member clamped therebetween to form a hollow rectangularcontainer, whereby said members may be arranged in a multiplicityV ofinterrelationships and secured by said meansY to form various sizesplints.

References Cited in the le ofthis` patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

